10 Best Mac Screen Recorder with Audio - Free and Paid

Oliva Eve
2024-04-18 16:33:55 • Filed to: Audio Recording

Screen recorders are an excellent tool that is used to record the on-screen happenings on any device. The screen recorder can be listed among the top five agencies in today's times because they can be used as efficient tools to run an organization successfully. The screen recorders in the market can be effectively used in a wide range of industries as well as enterprises. In our circumstances where we are held back at homes working from our laptops, screen recorders help us remember things that our brains often skip.

The most exclusive feature of screen recorders is that they are free to use and quite readily available in the market and on the Internet. One must know how to use it tactfully. The primary use of screen recorders is to record everything that goes on a person's computer screen.

It can quite easily be used on Windows as well as on Mac with minimum maintenance requirements. In this article, we will go through the two main types of screen recorders; free Mac audio screen recorder and paid Mac screen recorder with audio. Let us review all the top screen recorders under each category to know its benefits well enough.

Part 1. Free Mac Audio Screen Recorder

One might wonder whether the free screen recorders are of any competition in front of the paid screen recorders, but they will be surprised to know that there are barely any differences between the two. Let us take a detailed look into the list of screen recorders that come for free and understand how they work.

1. QuickTime Player

QuickTime Player is one of the most frequently downloaded screen recorders on a Mac platform. It offers an added functionality of a media player as well. Thus, one can use it as a player to play media and record the on-going activities on-screen.

One should take note of the fact that the QuickTime Player can only make a recording of the screen. It is quite unlike any screencasting software that makes a copy of the activities on screen and the webcam. You cannot record both at the same time as well.

quicktime player

There are two explicit recording modes on the free screen and audio recorder for Mac, the QuickTime software. One mode is where you can record the entire screen, and the other is the recording of the part of the screen, which you select with the mouse. The QuickTime Player offers audio recording options as well.

You can input audio recording into the video recording with the help of a microphone. QuickTime Player is intelligent enough to let you choose which audio device you would like to use to input the audio. Alternatively, you can also select the audio capture device to none if you do not wish to record any audio with the video.

Step to Use QuickTime

Step 1. To launch QuickTime Player, you will need to hit the shortcut Shift+Cmd+5. It will give you a control center. You can also search for the app using Spotlight Search.

Step 2. Click on New Screen Recording, and it will give you a very intuitive dashboard to work with.

Step 3. Right beside the Record button, users will get a drop-down menu to set some key details. Here, you will get to enable the mic input along with adding mouse clicks.

Step 4. All done, you will get a prompt to select the area you want to record; if you want to record the whole screen, click anywhere, or if you want to record just a particular section, you can drag over that area to select.

Step 5. Once done, click on the Stop button on the taskbar, and the recorded footage will pop up on the screen. You can go to File and hit Save.

2. Screen Recorder Robot Lite

Talk about a Mac screen recorder with audio, and one of the first names that come to mind is the Screen Recorder Robot Lite. Since this falls under the free software list, it does not require any monthly or yearly subscription to keep the services going on in your computer system.

This is an extremely powerful application meant to screen record, take a screenshot, and make edits to it. The app automatically recognizes the taskbars, menus, as well as windows present on the screen. If there is any problem selecting an area on the screen, one can use the magnifying tool to choose a particular area on the screen.

robot lite

Furthermore, you can use the same magnifying tool to display the screen's width, height, and length. Screen Recorder Robot Lite offers high functionality and an extremely smooth user interface. This software gives you a free screen recorder at the level of one that is paid for. One of the best features of the Screen Recorder Robot Lite is that it does not add a watermark to the recorded videos. You can cut, crop, or edit your screen recordings depending on what you want.

Step to Use Robot Lite

Step 1. Once installed, launch the app using Spotlight Search. Launch the app, and it will give you a dashboard with some very intuitive features.

Step 2. Now, launch the application/software that you want to record, and you will find a little camcorder button on the taskbar.

Step 3. As you will click on the Video Capture option, it will give you a drag and drop tool to select the area you want to record.

Step 4. The Lite version of the Screen Recorder Robot will only allow you to record 600 seconds of content. It will take directly to the integrated editor.

Step 5. You will get to make key adjustments like trimming, setting the volume, adding music, etc.

3. Recordit

Mac has a variety of software that is extremely useful. Recordit proves to be one of the top-level applications for the Mac interface. If you were to record the screen on a Mac for free, this software works better than others due to its high-level code structure. It has a four-star rating on the App Store.

Furthermore, it introduces fun elements like gifs and images in the recorded video of the screen. One cannot ignore certain drawbacks of this software, including the inability to add audio recordings to the video recorded of the screen. It isn't easy to allow the synchronization of the audio.

recordit

Furthermore, this Mac screen recorder with audio free restricts video recording of the screen beyond five minutes. If you are willing to work around these issues, Recordit is an excellent app with a minimalistic approach to screen recording. Recordit has an excellent user interface with all the buttons present on the same screen that you will be recording. You can toggle between the controls while the software is on record. Besides, the edited software looks quite cute and can be used for a variety of purposes.

Step to Use Recordit

Step 1. If you don’t have the app on your computer, you can go to recordit.co and go for the one according to your requirements.

Step 2. Launch the app, and it will give you a record icon to start and stop recording.

Step 3. The app’s free version will allow you to record up to 5 minutes only. You will also get a checkbox to enable the Launch On Login.

4. OBS Studio

OBS Studio is one of the better free screen recorders with no watermark in the market on Mac and iOS platforms. This software will allow users to record the screen flawlessly. One of the unique features of the software includes the creation and publishing of live stream videos too. With OBS Studio, you can confidently add or embed specific snippets of other videos on the recorded screen video.

obs

One might find the user interface to be a bit dull but do not underestimate this software's power as it comes with certain added features such as a Studio Mode above all. The bonus features are those that no other screen recorder uses, especially those under the free to use category. OBS Studio can be used for professional and personal use, but given the minimalistic user interface, you can use this software for official purposes exceptionally.

Step to Use OBS Studio

Step 1. Download the software application from the OBS website and select macOS option.

Step 2. Along with the studio, if you also want to record internal audio, there is one application/extension that you will need to install. It’s iShowU Audio Capture.

Step 3. Once downloaded and installed, launch the app and the interface that you will get is highly intuitive and user-friendly. Users will get to add scenes and sources, and there will also be a Settings tab that will be used to set up some of your requirements.

Step 4. It will offer a wide range of options related to audio, video, shortcuts, etc. OBS Studio will also allow you to stream content on your social media platforms.

5. Jing

Jing is a screen recording software that is developed by a brand that goes by the name Techsmith. It is a video recording software that does not charge you any money for Mac-based operations. You can additionally record video snippets with this software. The software screen opens up as a sun icon on the screen. This icon can be dragged around and placed at any place on the screen. This icon leads you to the functions of the Jing software. The functions include recording videos, taking screenshots, and recording your on-going screen with maximum ease.

jing

Jing has an attractive interface that gives you options to select from before or after hitting the record button. This screen recorder offers high functionality with no charges on the software at all. You can use Jing on the Mac laptop or iOS phone so that you can record screens that are of any length, breadth, and width.

These are the top five software that allows Mac users to record their laptops or desktop screens with no charges. You can avail features that are almost equivalent to the paid screen recorders on the Internet.

Step to Use Jing

Step 1. Search for the app using Spotlight Search and launch it. It might take a couple of seconds to launch.

Step 2. It will fetch itself to the corner, and when you will hover the pointer over it, it will give you a few options.

Step 3. In the More section, you will get to set a few preferences, and it will allow you to add an audio input device, as well.

Step 4. This animation can also be turned off, and you can set it to use like a regular app using taskbar.

Step 5. You will get a control center on the bottom left, and it will give you all the options you want to start recording.

Part 2. Paid Mac Screen Recorder with Audio

The second category of screen recorders requires users to take a monthly subscription or may for one-time use. Content is information, and information is everything in the digital age. Whether you are a consumer of content or a creator, videos are probably the most significant part of your online diet.

It is almost necessary nowadays to provide entertainment and information in the form of videos, and similarly, the reception of the same is also much better in video formats. Therefore, it is quite apparent that screen-recording, whether on your iPhone or Mac, is such an essential tool.

Whether you want to create presentations for your office meetings or you want to record a lecture as a student to be able to refer to later, good screen-recording software can be a life-saver for everyone. Any such software should have:

  1. Easily accessible recording options
  2. Presentation-making abilities
  3. Fundamental to advanced editing abilities
  4. Annotation options
  5. A basic preset and template library

This list goes over five of the best applications in this regard for Mac users. You can choose either of these based on your specific needs. Most of these also offer trial periods, so that way, you can make a more informed choice. Browse through the following to choose your preferred screen-recorder:

1. Wondershare DemoCreator

One of the best apps in this category, WonderShare, is an all-in-one package for videos. With regard to screen recording, it offers fantastic facilities and makes all their features readily available at the single click of the mouse.

You can expect top quality in terms of video editing, too, when it comes to Wondershare. What is more, some of their most useful tools are also free! You can get it both for Windows and Mac operating systems. Wondershare offers incredible workflow and editing options for creators and non-creators alike.

democreator mac recorder

Featuring a very accessible and easy to learn interface, you can add annotations, record your presentation with voice-overs, create video tutorials, and even record gaming accomplishments with ease. Wondershare being the best Mac screen recorder with audio, allows you to make such presentations, gaming videos, etc. as an all-inclusive software. With just this one software, all your creative needs are satisfied. Their rates are also very affordable, with monthly and annual deals both available.

2. Camtasia

Developed and published by TechSmith, Camtasia has been one of the frontrunners in this market for almost 20 years now and seems to be the preferred choice of many professionals. Also, it boasts a plethora of editing options and is also very simple to learn.

It offers tools for both the video recording and editing savant as well as the novice. High definition recording capabilities, green-screen effects, complex animations, GoogleDrive compatibility, etc. are just some of the fantastic features provided by this product's developers.

camtasia

It also gives you ready to use features like multiple templates and presets along with royalty-free music to use in your videos. Further, you can embed other videos into your recording, allowing for high degrees of control and professionalism in content creation. If you are unwilling to pay the money right away (which is an annual or a lifetime subscription), you can start with a 30-day free trial.

Step to Use Camtasia

Step 1. Launch the app from the dock, and the dashboard that you will get is highly intuitive and has multiple features you can go through.

Step 2. On the left hand, you will get a record button, and it will give you a prompt to select the area you want to record.

Step 3. Launch the software that you want to record, and it will also allow you to record from the webcam.

Step 4. Press the red Record button, and it will give you the option to drag and drop on the screen to select the area on the screen.

Step 5. Once done, you will need to go to the taskbar to stop/pause the recording.

3. Movavi Screen Recorder

One of the newer apps on this list, Movavi Screen Recorder, is slowly becoming a favorite among users in this category. Movavi has come out with multiple top quality video editing software in the past, and this one is no different. Offering a wide variety of features and possessing one of the most straightforward interfaces of all the apps here, you might consider giving this one a try.

movavi edit

The quality of the app is top-notch. High definition videos translate perfectly into this software, and it lets you capture the video from any screen. While it might lag behind the other applications here in terms of being both a screen recording app and a video editor, Movavi makes up for this fact by providing such excellent quality in its visuals. If you do need the other features, they offer a bundle comprising both the screen recorder and their video editor at a fantastic price.

Step to Use Movavi Screen Recorder

Step 1. Download the app from a trusted source, and once the setup file is installed, you can launch the recorder.

Step 2. It will open up as a slide on the left, and it will be the minimalistic control center that you will need to navigate around.

Step 3. Once you hit the camcorder button, it will give you the option of selecting the area that you want to record.

Once selected, you will get another control center with more options. It will give you the icon to enable/disable the webcam and the microphone.

Step 4. Once done, you can hit the Stop button to stop the recording.

4. SnagIt

Yet another software in this category, SnagIt, has been around since 1990! This speaks volumes about its quality and justifies its place on this list. This software is slightly more geared towards the novice user than experienced video editors and creators, but it has all the features you could ask for anyway. It was formerly released only for Windows platforms, but now it is also available for Mac.

snagit

About the previous statement, it should be mentioned that the Mac version has a few fewer features. However, the basic functionality is all there. You can add text, trim the video, add audio, make animations and export it in a format of your choice. SnagIt also provides very useful presets and templates that can be used to make videos and create content. There is also a free trial option available if you do not want to pay the annual fee right away.

Step to Use SnagIt

Step 1. This TechSmith’s application, dubbed as SnagIt can be downloaded from the website. Select the right specs according to your system requirements.

Step 2. Launch the app, and you will get to open the control center from the taskbar.

Step 3. You will get to enable/disable the mic and system audio along with the pointer clicks.

Step 4. Once you have set the preferences, all you need to do is hit the Capture button. It will give you a prompt with a few controls like start/stop recording, set up the mic/system audio, etc.

5. ScreenFlow

Created by Telestream, this is a fantastic application exclusively for Mac platforms for screencasting and video editing, not to mention screen recording! This software is more suited to professional work as it boasts some of the best features of any video editing software. The interface has a beautiful modern design to it, and this is overall just a terrific software for all types of creators and professionals.

screenflow

The facilities provided by ScreenFlow are almost incomparable. What it has going for itself is its presets. Templates, a vast library of sample clips, royalty-free sound effects and music, animations, and multiple format support, makes this indeed a great creators tool. All this does, however, put it in a slightly higher price bracket. They also have three purchasing options starting from the basic package to higher-priced possibilities, including more extensive libraries.

Step to Use ScreenFlow

Step 1. Like any other app, once it’s installed and you have launched ScreenFlow, it will give you a camcorder icon in the taskbar.

Step 2. You can check the recorder settings by clicking on Show Recording Monitor, and it will give you this dialog box. You can uncheck the items you don’t want to include in the recording.

Step 3. Right next to the Record button, you will get a selection tool that will help you in selecting the area on your screen.

Step 4. Once you hit the Record button, the app will give you a 5-second countdown to start the recording.

Conclusion

The screen recorders are great tools to record seminars, programs, conventions, and everything online to ensure that it stays stored on the soft copy. It can also be used to record responses. The screen recorders are extremely handy for organizers of an event or large organizations as it gives them useful feedback.

You can use the various options on the screen recorders that come for Mac laptops or iOS phones. Try them on your desktop or your computer. Make sure to use a screen recorder with audio free Mac or a paid screen recorder to enjoy the benefits of recording screens and editing them at your own will.